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MINUTES 


OF  THE 

SPECIAL  MEETING 


SYRIAN 


OF  THE 

MISSION 


> 


HELD  IN 


September  and  October,  1855, 


ON  OCCASION  OF  THE  VISIT  OF  ONE  OF  THE  SECRETARIES 


OF  THE 


intninra  ^narii  nf  (Cnmtnfosfoitrrs  for  /nrrign  fflimm. 


BOSTON: 

PRESS  OF  T.  R.  MARVIN,  42  CONGRESS  STREET. 
1 8 5 6. 


NOTE. 

The  Deputation  to  the  Mahratta  and  Tamil  Missions  were  detained  so  much 
longer  in  India  than  they  expected  to  be,  that  Mr.  Thompson  was  unable  to  visit 
the  Syrian  and  Armenian  Missions  with  Dr.  Anderson.  He  had  a few  days 
for  Mount  Lebanon,  and  a few  more  for  Smyrna  and  its  vicinity,  and  was  on  his 
way  homeward  before  his  associate  arrived  from  Calcutta,  whither  it  had  been 
deemed  expedient  for  him  to  go  from  Madras.  Dr.  Anderson  reached  Beirut  on 
the  18th  of  September,  and  was  in  the  Mission  till  the  2d  of  October.  Then, 
accompanied  by  Mr.  Calhoun  and  Mr.  Ford,  he  proceeded  by  steamer  to  Ladakia, 
and  thence  over  the  mountains  to  Kessab,  Antioch  and  Aleppo.  From  Aleppo  he 
was  accompanied  by  Mr.  Calhoun  to  Aintab.  An  account  of  this  journey,  and  of 
the  very  interesting  facts  witnessed  at  Kessab  and  Aintab,  was  published  in  the 
Missionary  Herald  for  February,  1856. 


SPECIAL  MEETING  OF  THE  SYRIAN  MISSION. 


Minutes  of  the  Meeting  of  the  Syrian  Mission  with  one  of  the  Secre- 
retaries  of  the  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign 
Missions. 

Abeih,  September  24,  1855. 

« 

The  members  of  the  Syrian  Mission  assembled  in  a Special  Meet- 
ing, called  with  reference  to  the  visit  of  Rev.  R.  Anderson,  D.  D., 
Senior  Secretary  of  the  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign 
Missions. 


Present — Rev.  R.  ANDERSON,  D.  D. ; 

Rev.  GEORGE  B.  WHITING; 

Rev.  C.  V.  A.  VAN  DYCK,  M.  D. ; 

Rev.  SIMEON  H.  CALHOUN; 

Rev.  WILLIAM  A.  BENTON; 

Rev.  DAVID  M.  WILSON ; 

Rev.  J.  EDWARDS  FORD; 

Rev.  WILLIAM  BIRD  ; 

Rev.  JERRE  L.  LYONS; 

Mr.  GEORGE  C.  HURTER. 

The  session  was  opened  with  prayer  by  Dr.  Anderson.  Mr.  Cal- 
houn was  chosen  Chairman , and  Mr.  Ford,  Secretary. 

Dr.  Anderson  then  stated  the  subjects  on  which  he  desired  to  confer 
with  the  mission.  Some  of  these  subjects  were  discussed,  after  which 
it  was  voted  to  appoint  committees  to  report,  in  writing,  upon  the 
respective  topics.  The  Chairman,  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Mission,  and 
Secretary  of  the  meeting,  were  authorized  to  nominate  the  said  com- 
mittees. The  subjects  were  as  follows  : 

1.  Governing  Object  of  the  Mission.  — Should  it  be  the  conversion 
of  sinners,  the  gathering  of  those  converts  into  churches,  and  the 
ordaining  of  native  pastors  over  those  churches  ? — object  of  the 
seminary  for  males,  of  the  seminary  for  females,  of  the  common 


4 


schools,  and  of  the  press,  as  means  subordinate  to  the  governing  object 
of  the  mission. 

2.  Preaching. — How  far  to  be  performed  by  missionaries,  and  how 
far  by  natives — the  missionary  as  the  pioneer — whether  native  churches 
should  be  at  once  furnished  with  native  pastors — relation  of  the  mis- 
sionary and  of  the  mission  to  such  churches  and  pastors,  in  the 
first  instance — ordination  of  native  evangelists — whether  missionaries 
should  be  pastors — whether  the  direct  relation  of  the  mission  should 
be  to  the  native  pastor,  or  to  the  native  church — right  of  visitation 
connected  with  the  rendering  of  pecuniary  aid — scriptural  power  of 
the  mission  to  preach,  organize  churches,  ordain  pastors,  and  require 
from  the  native  churches  and  pastors  a faithful  use  of  its  funds — when 
and  where  native  churches  should  be  organized — whether  all  native 
preachers  and  pastors  should  go  through  a full  course  of  education. 

3.  Location  of  Missionaries. — Whether  missionaries  should  be 
placed  at  Ilasbeiya,  Der  el  Komr,  and  Homs — how  many  should 
reside  at  each  of  the  stations — whether  each  station  should,  if  possi- 
ble, have  a native  preacher,  and  each  native  church  a native  pastor — 
whether  Northern  Syria  should  be  cultivated  by  the  Armenian  mission 
— who  shall  reside  at  Tripoli — whether  we  should  have  a mission 
among  the  Nusairiyeh. 

4.  Summer  Residences. — Whether  an  absence  from  Beirut,  Sidon 
and  Tripoli,  is  needful  for  all  missionaries  during  the  summer  heats — 
whether  the  houses  in  these  places  may  not  be  defended  more  effec- 
tually against  the  heated  air — whether  residences  may  not  be  obtained 
nearer  to  Beirut  than  Abeih  and  B’hamdun — whether  the  summer 
retreats  may  be  made  more  subservient  to  preaching  on  the  mountains. 

5.  Education. — (1.)  Seminary  for  Males. — Progress  made  towards 
securing  its  object — number  and  character  of  the  present  pupils — 
number  hopefully  pious — course  of  instruction — English  language — 
prospect  of  ultimate  success. 

(2.)  Female  Seminary. — Its  history — its  suspension — under  what 
circumstances  and  in  what  manner  it  should  be  resumed — kind  of 
pupils  needed — whether  it  should  be  wholly  under  female  instruction — 
where  it  should  be  located  — the  desirable  accommodations — whether 
the  English  language  should  be  taught  in  it. 

(3.)  Common  Schools. — Among  the  Dru7.es. — How  long  and  to 
what  extent  schools  have  been  sustained  among  the  Druzes — their 
apparent  effect — what  effect  our  labors  have  had  among  that  people — 
whether  the  death-penalty  for  forsaking  their  religion  is  apprehended 
by  inquiring  Druzes — how  far  we  should  continue  our  schools  among 
them. 

Schools  among  Christians. — Number  and  cost  of  these  schools — 
schools  for  males  and  for  females,  and  average  age  of  boys  when  they 


5 


leave  the  schools — actual  missionary  value  of  these  schools — how  far 
essential  in  our  system  of  means. 

6.  Amount  of  English  preaching  in  the  Mission — What  would  be 
the  effect  on  the  Mission  of  giving  the  whole  strength  of  the  Beirut 
station  to  preaching  in  Arabic — what  the  effect  on  the  whole  Mission. 

7.  The  Printing  Establishment. — Its  extent  and  pecuniary  value — 
its  history — amount  that  has  been  expended  from  the  first  on  the  new 
Arabic  type — Mr.  Homan  Hallock’s  late  proposal — how  extensive  the 
establishment  needs  to  be — effect  of  its  demands  on  the  labors  and 
character  of  the  Mission. 

8.  Books. — What  new  books  are  desirable — how  these  are  attaina- 
ble— school  books  in  Arabic,  now  in  existence — what  disposition  to 
read  exists  among  the  church  members. 

9.  Native  Helpers. — Their  number — education  — employment  — 
wages — supervision — prospect  of  supply. 

10.  Buildings  and  Property. — Property  now  owned  by  the  Board, 
in  land,  dwelling-houses,  churches,  etc. — value — how  far  native  houses 
may  be  made  comfortable  residences — cost  of  a suitable  dwelling- 
house  where  one  must  be  built — cost  of  churches  that  have  been  built 
— whether  it  be  necessary  to  build  churches  at  present — whether  one 
is  needed  at  B’hamdun — whether  they  should  be  furnished  with  chairs 
and  benches. 

11.  Estimates,  Appropriations  and  Expenditures. — Intent  of  the 
appropriations — whether  the  expenditure  should  be  restricted  to  the 
specific  objects — whether  balances  should  be  used  for  other  objects — 
whether  money  received  by  the  treasurer  from  every  source  should  be 
credited  in  his  accounts  with  the  treasurer  of  the  Board — aid  to  indi- 
gent Christians. 

12.  Outline  of  Station  Districts. 

Messrs.  Benton  and  Bird  were  appointed  a committee  on  religious 
exercises. 

Voted,  To  invite  the  sisters  of  the  Mission  to  attend  the  sessions  of 
this  meeting. 

Prayer  was  offered  by  Mr.  Whiting,  and  the  meeting  adjourned  till 
Wednesday  morning  at  9 o’clock;  Tuesday  being  devoted  to  the 
annual  examination  of  the  Seminary  for  Males. 

Wednesday , Sept.  HGth. — Met  according  to  adjournment.  Present 
as  before,  with  the  addition  of  Rev.  Eli  Smith,  D.  D.,  who  had  been 
detained  by  illness.  A portion  of  Scripture  was  read  by  ihe  chairman, 
and  prayer  offered  by  Dr.  Van  Dyck.  The  Minutes  of  the  previous 
meeting  were  read  and  approved.  The  committee  on  Religious  Exer- 


6 


cises  reported  in  part,  recommending  that  each  daily  session  be  opened 
and  closed  with  devotional  exercises.  The  chairman  reported  a list  of 
the  committees  to  prepare  reports  on  the  subjects  brought  before  the 
meeting  by  Dr.  Anderson.  Some  amendments  were  made  in  the 
report,  and  the  committees  were  appointed  as  follows  : 

1.  Governing  Object  in  Missions. — Messrs.  Van  Dyck  and  Wilson. 

2.  Preaching,  and  the  Relations  of  Missionaries  to  the  Native 

Churches. — Messrs.  Whiting  and  Ford. 

3.  The  Location  of  Missionaries. — Messrs.  Wilson  and  Bird. 

4.  Summer  Residences. — Messrs.  Whiting,  Van  Dyck  and  Hurter. 

5.  Education. — Messrs.  Calhoun,  Thomson  and  Benton. 

6.  English  Preaching. — Messrs.  Smith,  Benton  and  Lyons. 

7.  The  Printing  Establishment. — Messrs.  Smith,  Hurter  and  Wilson. 

8.  Books  Needed. — Messrs.  Smith  and  Bird. 

9.  Native  Helpers. — Messrs.  Van  Dyck  and  Hurter. 

10.  Salaries. — Mr.  Calhoun. 

11.  Buildings  and  Property.  — Messrs.  Calhoun,  Ford  and  Bird. 

12.  Estimates,  Appropriations  and  Expenses. — Messrs.  Calhoun  and 

Whiting. 

13.  Outline  of  Station  Districts. — Messrs.  Thomson  and  Lyons. 

Discussion  was  then  resumed  on  the  subject  of  the  Relation  of 
Missionaries  to  Native  Pastors  and  Churches;  and  continued  on  the 
subject  of  Summer  Residences,  and  of  English  Preaching;  which 
subjects,  after  full  discussion,  were  referred  to  their  respective  com- 
mittees. The  meeting  was  closed  with  prayer,  and  adjourned  till  9 
o’clock  to-morrow  morning. 

Thursday , Sept.  27th. — The  Mission  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 
Present  as  before,  with  the  addition  of  Rev.  William  M.  Thomson, 
who  arrived  last  evening  from  Italy.  After  the  reading  of  a portion  of 
Scripture,  prayer  was  offered  by  Mr.  Bird.  The  subject  of  the  Loca- 
tion of  Missionaries  was  taken  up,  and  after  having  been  discussed  in 
part,  was  laid  over  for  further  consideration.  The  subject  of  Educa- 
tion was  also  discussed  in  part.  The  session  was  closed  with  prayer 
by  Mr.  Lyons. 

Friday,  Sept.  2 8th. — The  Mission  met  at  9 A.  M.,  pursuant  to 
adjournment.  After  the  reading  of  a portion  of  Scripture,  prayer 
was  offered  by  Mr.  Thomson.  The  Minutes  of  the  preceding  meeting 
were  read  and  approved.  The  subject  of  the  Location  of  Mission- 
aries was  resumed,  fully  discussed,  and  referred  to  its  appropriate 
committee.  The  rest  of  the  subjects  laid  before  the  Mission  were 
taken  up,  one  by  one,  and  after  due  consideration  were  referred  in 


7 


like  manner.  The  meeting  was  closed  with  prayer,  and  adjourned  till 
2 o’clock  to-morrow  afternoon. 

Saturday,  Sept.  29 tli. — Met  according  to  adjournment.  The  meet- 
ing was  opened  with  singing  and  prayer — the  prayer  by  Mr.  Benton. 
Dr.  Van  Dyck,  from  the  committee  on  the  Governing  Object  of  Mis- 
sions, presented  a report  on  that  subject,  which  was  accepted.  The 
report  of  the  committee  on  Preaching,  and  the  Relations  of  Mission- 
aries to  the  Native  Churches  and  Pastors,  was  read  by  Mr.  Ford,  and 
recommitted.  Reports  were  read  by  Mr.  Wilson,  on  the  Location 
of  Missionaries  and  on  Summer  Residences,  which  were  also  re- 
committed. The  committee  on  Education  reported  in  part  through 
Messrs.  Calhoun  and  Thomson.  Messrs.  Van  Dyck  and  Bird  were 
appointed  a committee  to  advise  with  Miss  Cheney,  as  to  her  residence 
and  employment  for  the  present.  Dr.  Smith  reported  on  English 
Preaching,  Mr.  Wilson  on  the  Printing  Establishment,  and  Dr.  Van 
Dyck  on  Native  Helpers;  and  these  reports  were  accepted.  The 
Report  on  the  Outline  of  Station  Districts,  was  read  by  Mr.  Lyons, 
amended  and  accepted.  The  committee  on  Religious  Exercises  report- 
ed, recommending  that  Dr.  Anderson  be  invited  to  preach  on  Sabbath 
afternoon,  and  that  the  Lord’s  Supper  be  celebrated  on  Sabbath 
evening  at  half  past  seven  o’clock.  After  prayer  by  Mr.  Ford,  the 
meeting  adjourned  till  Monday  morning  at  9 o’clock. 

Monday,  Oct.  ls<. — The  Mission  met  according  to  adjournment. 
Mr.  Hurter  and  Mr.  Lyons  were  absent  by  permission.  After  the 
reading  of  a portion  of  Scripture,  prayer  was  offered  by  Mr.  Whiting. 
The  reports  on  Preaching,  and  the  Relations  of  Missionaries  to  Native 
Churches,  on  the  Location  of  Missionaries,  and  on  Summer  Res- 
idences, were  read  and  accepted.  The  report  of  the  committee  on 
Education  was  read,  some  amendments  were  suggested,  and  Mr.  Bird 
was  added  to  the  committee  with  a view  to  making  these  amendments. 
The  report,  as  thus  amended,  was  accepted.  Reports  were  read  by 
Dr.  Smith  on  Books  needed;  and  by  Mr.  Calhoun  on  Buildings  and 
Property,  and  also  on  Estimates,  Appropriations  and  Expenses ; which 
reports  were  accepted.  Messrs.  Thomson,  Whiting  and  Bird  were 
appointed  a committee  of  advice  in  reference  to  the  case  of  Yoosuf 
Barakat.  Messrs.  Calhoun,  Whiting  and  Ford  were  appointed  a com- 
mittee on  Buildings. 

The  following  Resolution  was  adopted,  expressing  the  feelings  of 
the  Mission  in  reference  to  the  visits  of  Dr.  Anderson  and  Mr. 
Thompson : 

“ Resolved,  That  it  is  a source  of  high  gratification  to  this  Mission, 
that  both  the  members  of  the  Deputation  to  the  India  Missions,  the 


8 


Rev.  Dr.  Anderson,  Senior  Secretary  of  the  Board,  and  the  Rev.  A. 
C.  Thompson,  have  been  enabled,  though  providentially  separated 
from  each  other,  to  visit  us  on  their  way  homeward.  With  devout 
thanksgiving  to  God  for  this  timely  visit  of  his  servants,  we  would 
express  our  particular  obligations  to  Dr.  Anderson  for  his  most  val- 
uable counsels,  and  for  the  very  essential  aid  he  has  afforded  us  in 
settling  the  many  important  questions  of  missionary  policy  brought 
before  us  at  this  meeting.  It  is  our  prayer  and  hope  that  this  visit 
of  Dr.  Anderson  may  prove,  with  God’s  blessing,  highly  useful  as  a 
means  of  giving  a new  impulse  to  the  work  of  the  Gospel  in  this  land. 
And  we  now  commend  our  respected  friend  and  brother  to  the  guid- 
ance and  protection  of  that  same  kind  Providence,  which  has  watched 
over  him  hitherto,  and  which,  we  pray,  may  long  preserve  him  to  us 
and  to  the  missionary  cause.” 

Dr.  Anderson  responded  in  a few  remarks,  and  offered  some  further 
suggestions  on  the  mode  of  carrying  on  the  work  of  missions  in  this 
land.  The  Minutes  of  the  previous  meetings  were  read  and  accepted; 
a parting  hymn  was  sung  ; prayer  was  offered  by  the  chairman  ; and 
the  meeting  adjourned  sine  die. 


J.  EDWARDS  FORD,  Secretary. 


9 


REPORTS  OE  COMMITTEES. 


I. 

THE  GOVERNING  OBJECT  IN  MISSIONS  TO  THE  HEATHEN. 

Your  committee  do  not  suppose  that  an  extended  discussion  of  this 
subject  is  here  called  for,  and  therefore  present  the  following  brief 
report. 

There  is  but  one  object  worthy  to  engross  the  powers  of  an  intelli- 
gent, rational,  immortal  creature  ; and  that  object  is,  the  glory  of  the 
ever-blessed  God.  “ For  his  glory  all  things  are  and  were  created.” 
In  a world  like  ours,  a world  in  rebellion  against  God,  but  ransomed 
by  the  precious  blood  of  Christ,  that  glory  is  promoted,  in  the  way 
most  pleasing  to  himself,  by  bringing  rebels  into  a state  of  reconcil- 
iation with  their  Maker  and  rightful  Sovereign,  through  faith  in  the 
only  Redeemer  and  Mediator.  “ This  is  the  work  of  God,  that  ye 
believe  on  him  whom  he  hath  sent.”  The  execution  of  the  great 
plan  of  redemption  is  the  object  steadily  kept  in  view,  in  all  the 
providential  dealings  of  God  with  men,  from  the  beginning  of  the 
world.  The  whole  series  of  events,  from  the  creation  to  the  end 
of  time,  are  but  so  many  radii,  terminating  in  one  grand  centre — 
the  triumph  of  redeeming  love.  Then  surely  a sinner  saved  by  grace 
should  have  but  one  object  for  which  to  live — to  glorify  his  God  and 
Savior  by  bringing  other  sinners  to  trust  in  him,  who  became  a ran- 
som and  a propitiation  for  human  guilt.  And  much  more,  then,  a 
ransomed  sinner,  chosen  out  and  honored  above  the  rest  to  be  a 
standard-bearer  in  the  contest,  and  sent  forth  to  fight  the  battles  of  the 
Lord,  should  have  but  one  desire,  one  aim,  one  all-absorbing  busi- 
ness— to  win  souls  to  Christ.  In  other  words,  the  governing  object 
of  every  mission  and  of  every  missionary  should  not  be  to  liberate, 
to  educate,  to  enlighten,  to  polish,  but  to  convert  men. 

Your  committee  have  not  time  to  enlarge  on  this  subject,  which  has 
been  so  fully  discussed  in  the  reports  of  the  India  Missions,  on  the 
occasion  of  the  recent  visit  of  the  Deputation  from  the  Prudential 
2 


10 


Committee ; but,  in  addition  to  the  full  view  of  the  case  presented  in 
those  reports,  we  remark  briefly — 

1.  This  object  is  the  only  one  which  will  secure  the  requisite  num- 
ber of  efficient  laborers. 

In,  order  to  bring  even  Christian  men  to  the  point  of  giving  up  the 
endearments  of  home  and  country,  to  make  them  willing  to  sever  the 
numerous  ties  which  bind  them  to  all  they  hold  most  dear  on  earth, 
and  voluntarily  exile  themselves  from  the  society  of  those  they  love, 
from  civilization,  refinement,  Christian  privileges,  and  a host  of  other 
precious  things,  that  they  may  dwell  among  and  labor  for  people  of  a 
strange  tongue,  a perverse  generation,  a degraded  nation,  there  must 
be  brought  to  bear  upon  the  heart  and  conscience  motives  of  the  high- 
est and  strongest  kind.  Tell  them  of  the  ignorance  and  degradation 
of  men — they  will  pity  them  ; of  their  oppressions  and  hardships — 
they  will  feel  a sympathy  for  them  ; but  tell  them  of  immortal  souls, 
going  down  to  eternal  death,  with  none  to  show  them  the  way  of  sal- 
vation, and  they  will  run  to  their  relief.  Having  entered  the  field, 
they  will  feel  that  every  moment  is  precious  ; that  eternal  interests  are 
at  stake  ; that  heaven  or  hell  may  depend  upon  the  issue  of  a single 
interview.  And  they  will  be  in  earnest ; and  earnest  laborers  are  the 
only  truly  efficient  ones. 

2.  This  object  is  the  only  one  which  will  keep  the  missionary  in  the 
field,  and  sustain  him  under  his  labors  and  difficulties. 

A spirit  of  mere  benevolence  may  lead  men,  for  a time,  to  labor  for 
the  good  of  others,  and  among  other  things  for  their  conversion.  But 
while  human  nature  remains  the  same,  these  efforts  will  not  be  met 
in  the  spirit  of  meekness  and  docility,  but  with  pride,  perverseness, 
opposition,  and  often  ingratitude,  if  not  actual  injury.  Here  the 
laborer  will  need  to  fall  back  upon  something  that  has  power  suffi- 
cient to  make  him  persevere  in  spite  of  these  difficulties,  as  he  will 
be  almost  sure  to  faint,  be  discouraged,  and  perhaps  withdraw  from 
the  field.  Mere  benevolence,  philanthropy,  a desire  to  do  good  in 
general,  to  elevate  and  enlighten,  will  not  do  this,  as  ample  experience 
has  shown.  There  must  be  the  deep  feeling  that  eternal  interests  are 
involved,  that  the  glory  of  God  is  concerned,  that  the  interests  of  the 
Redeemer’s  kingdom  are  connected  with  the  work.  Keeping  this 
object  prominently  before  the  mind,  it  will  be  seen  to  be  paramount; 
there  will  be  the  feeling  that  it  must  be  accomplished  ; that  nothing 
must  be  allowed  to  interfere  with  the  work  of  plucking  brands  from 
the  burning,  and  adding  jewels  to  the  Redeemer’s  crown.  It  will  be 
seen,  too,  that  this  object  has  the  promise  of  success  ; that  God  is 


11 


pledged  to  accomplish  it ; and  therefore  no  discouragements  will  be 
sufficient  to  cause  its  abandonment. 

3.  This  object  is  the  only  one  which  will  call  forth  from  the 
churches  the  funds  necessary  for  the  support  of  missions. 

Let  the  churches  know  that  their  missionaries  are  teaching  the 
sciences,  dispelling  superstition,  creating  a Christian  literature,  and 
they  will  be  glad  ; they  will  even  do  much  to  help  forward  the  good 
work  but  it  will  only  be  for  a time.  They  will  soon  grow  weary  of 
the  repeated  calls  made  upon  their,benevolence  ; and  should  a season 
of  pecuniary  embarrassment  occur,  their  contributions  will  be  in  dan- 
ger of  being  withheld  altogether.  But  keep  before  them  steadily  and 
constantly  and  simply  the  conversion  of  souls,  their  eternal  salvation, 
and  then  you  may  safely  trust  the  churches  of  Christ  for  any  amount 
of  means  that  can  be  wisely  and  judiciously  distributed.  There  will 
be  felt  that  most  powerful  of  all  motives — that  which  must  always 
deeply  affect  the  pious  heart — the  salvation  of  the  never-dying  soul. 
And  if  the  churches  supply  the  means  with  this  object  in  view,  then, 
in  faithfulness  to  their  trust,  the  Prudential  Committee  must  make  the 
appropriations  of  funds  with  reference  to  this  object,  and  to  this 
alone. 

In  endeavoring  to  accomplish  this  great  end,  the  missionary,  if  at 
all  blessed  with  success,  will  have  to  deal  much  with  “ babes  in 
Christ,”  who  need  to  be  constantly  and  carefully  fed  with  the  sincere 
milk  of  the  word,  that  they  may  grow  thereby,  and  arrive  at  the  stat- 
ure of  perfect  men  in  Christ  Jesus.  Divine*  wisdom  has  pointed  out 
the  best  way  of  doing  this  also.  In  accordance  with  the  example  of 
the  Apostles,  these  converts  should  be  gathered  into  churches,  and 
furnished,  as  speedily  as  practicable,  with  native  pastors,  through  whose 
labors  these  infant  churches  may  be  constantly  and  steadily  supplied 
with  the  stated  preaching  of  the  word,  the  administration  of  the  ordi- 
nances, and  such  other  means  as  are  calculated  to  promote  their  growth 
and  sanctification.  Without  this,  the  work  of  the  missionary  will  not 
only  be  incomplete,  but  in  danger  of  being  lost.  The  lambs  will 
stray,  grievous  wolves  will  enter  in,  not  sparing  the  flock,  and  the 
whole  work  have  to  be  done  over  again. 

That  which  is  essential  to  the  accomplishment  of  an  object,  be- 
comes as  it  were  an  integral  part  of  that  object.  If  converts  are  to 
be  gathered  into  churches  and  supplied  with  native  pastors,  it  becomes 
necessary  to  provide  these  pastors,  and  men  of  the  proper  spirit  and 
qualifications  are  to  be  trained  for  this  office.  This  defines  precisely 
the  position  of  seminaries  for  males,  as  connected  with  missions. 
They  are  not  mere  educational  establishments;  the  missions  should 


12 


not  regard  them  as  such,  nor  the  Board  support  them  as  such,  but  only 
as  having  for  their  object  the  training  of  men  for  the  service  of  the 
churches. 

To  meet  the  wants  of  the  female  part  of  the  community,  by  no 
means  inferior  in  importance  to  the  other,  there  arises  a necessity  for 
female  helpers  of  the  proper  spirit  and  qualifications,  who  shall,  in 
various  ways,  be  able  to  fulfill  their  part  in  the  accomplishment  of  the 
one  great  object.  This  is  the  position  of  seminaries  for  females  as 
connected  with  the  missions.  Their  object  should  not  be  the  eleva- 
tion, polishing  and  accomplishing  of  the  female  sex,  considered  as  a 
distinct  object,  but  to  train  up  and  bring  into  the  field  female  helpers 
of  the  right  spirit  and  qualifications,  without  whose  aid  the  labors  of 
the  pastor  must  be  materially  weakened,  and  in  many  cases  nullified. 

Common  schools  should  be  established  and  maintained,  only  so  far 
as  they  aid  in  bringing  the  gospel  to  bear  upon  the  hearts  of  old  and 
young,  and  thus  become  direct  means  for  accomplishing  the  great 
design,  the  conversion  of  souls.  A common  school,  taught  by  a pious 
teacher  whose  grand  effort  is  to  instill  spiritual  truth  into  the  minds 
of  the  pupils,  and  forming  a nucleus  for  a congregation  to  which  the 
word  of  God  may  be  preached,  is  not  apart  from  the  great  governing 
object  of  the  missionary  work.  Its  design  is  not  to  educate,  but  to 
make  wise  unto  salvation. 

The  position  of  the  press  in  connection  with  missions,  is  also 
defined  by  the  above  statements.  It  should  be  a converting  instru- 
ment, and,  as  far  as  it  is  such,  so  far  it  will  also  be  a sanctifying 
instrument. 

But  as  distinct  committees  are  to  report  on  seminaries,  schools  and 
the  press,  we  deem  it  not  necessary  to  extend  this  report  in  that  direc- 
tion. 

C.  V.  A.  VAN  DYCK,  Chairman. 


II. 

PREACHING,  AND  ON  THE  RELATIONS  OF  MISSIONARIES  T(* 
NATIVE  CHURCHES  AND  PASTORS. 

The  work,  which  the  missionary  of  the  Lord  Jesus  has  to  perform, 
may  be  contemplated  with  reference  to  each  of  the  two  great  classes 
into  which  the  human  race  is  divided,  viz  : the  unconverted,  and  the 
hopefully  converted.'  With  respect  to  the  unconverted,  who  invariably 
and  unhappily  constitute  the  vast  majority  of  the  community  around 
him,  the  missionary’s  great  business,  and  indeed  his  sole  business  is, 


13 


so  to  present  and  urge  upon  them  the  claims  of  God,  the  realities  of 
the  world  to  come,  and  the  precious  offers  of  mercy  through  a cruci- 
fied Redeemer,  as  to  secure  their  immediate  and  hearty  acceptance 
of  the  proffered  salvation  ; resulting  in  their  reconciliation  to  God, 
and  adoption  into  the  number  of  his  children  and  servants.  The 
truths  of  God’s  holy  word  are  the  only  divinely  sanctioned  instrumen- 
tality put  into  his  hands  ; and  he  is  not  ftt  liberty  to  employ  for  this 
purpose  other  instrumentalities,  devised  or  recommended  by  human 
wisdom,  unless  they  can  be  made  most  directly  and  obviously  subser- 
vient to  the  preaching  of  the  "Word. 

The  best  mode  of  preaching  God’s  word  which  can  be  adopted,  is 
the  formal  declaration  of  its  messages  in  a public  assembly,  gathered 
for  the  purpose  in  a building  or  other  place  devoted  to  the  worship  of 
God.  Under  these  circumstances  the  missionary  will  be  able  to 
impress  most  forcibly,  and  upon  the  largest  number,  and  with  the 
greatest  hope  of  ultimate  success,  the  truths  of  salvation.  He  is 
bound,  therefore,  to  maintain  such  services  frequently  and  regularly, 
wherever  and  whenever  he  can  properly  do  so,  and  especially  on  the 
Lord’s  day,  and  to  use  all  his  endeavors  to  induce  numbers  to  attend 
them,  while  he  spares  no  effort  to  prepare  himself  by  study  aiid  prayer 
for  these  solemn  occasions. 

But  he  will  often  find  it  impossible  to  induce  men,  impenitent  and 
careless  as  they  are,  to  attend  upon  his  ministrations,  and  he  will  have 
to  resort  to  other  expedients,  to  bring  the  truth  in  contact  with  their 
minds.  In  social  and  private  intercourse,  amid  the  transaction  of 
necessary  business,  in  the  house  or  by  the  wayside,  in  the  busy  streets, 
or  in  the  quiet  villages,  by  day  and  by  night,  he  should  lose  no  oppor- 
tunity of  urging  upon  individuals,  families,  or  larger  companies  of 
men,  the  messages  of  eternal  life. 

Not  only  should  the  missionary  give  himself  wholly  to  this  work,  he 
should  enlist  others  in  it,  and  employ  them  as  auxiliaries,  taking  them 
with  him  in  his  excursions,  or  sending  them  when  he  cannot  go  him- 
self. Over  such  assistants  he  will  need  to  exercise  a constant  and 
careful  watch  ; and  a long  time  may  be  necessary  to  fit  them  to  labor 
independently.  He  will  therefore  guard  against  intrusting  to  them, 
without  his  personal  superintendence,  much  of  the  pioneer  work  in 
districts  or  communities  where  the  sentiments  of  men  are  yet  to  be 
moulded  and  their  opinions  formed  on  the  great  subjects  of  religion, 
and  where  are  to  be  laid,  as  yet,  the  foundations  of  evangelical  doc- 
trine and  order.  It  may,  in  some  cases,  promote  their  usefulness  to 
have  them  formally  and  authoritatively  licensed  as  preachers,  more 
particularly  if  there  is  a probability  of  their  afterwards  becoming 
settled  pastors. 

By  the  faithful  and  persevering  use  of  these  means,  with  the  divine 


14 


blessing  on  his  efforts,  the  servant  of  God  may  hope  in  due  time  to  see 
souls  brought  to  repentance;  and  thus  he  will  come  to  sustain  new  and 
different  relations  in  reference  to  the  second  of  the  two  classes  of 
mankind,  viz  : the  hopefully  converted. 

Every  such  person,  that  is,  every  one  who  gives  sufficient  evidence 
to  an  enlightened  and  candid  judgment  of  having  been  renewed  by 
the  Spirit  of  God,  is  entitled  to  receive  from  the  hands  of  the  mission- 
ary the  Lord’s  Supper,  and  to  enter  into  covenant  relations  with  God’s 
people.  While  there  are  only  two  or  three  such  persons,  they  may  be 
received  to  church  privileges  in  an  informal  way.  But  as  soon  as  a 
larger  number  of  pious  persons  can  be  found,  of  such  a number  and 
character  as  give  promise  of  harmony,  efficiency,  and  stability  in  a 
regular  church  organization,  such  a church  should  be  formed.  Its 
constitution  should  be  simple  and  scriptural,  and  adapted  to  the  more 
immediate  wants  of  the  feeble  flock.  The  members  should  be  taught 
by  degrees  the  value  of  their  mutual  relations,  the  exercise  of  sound 
Christian  discretion  in  the  admission  of  new  members,  and  the  admin- 
istration of  church  discipline,  and  the  use  of  every  legitimate  means 
for  the  edification  of  the  common  body,  as  well  as  for  the  ingathering 
of  souls  from  without.  With  the  least  possible  delay,  they  should  be 
furnished  with  a pastor  of  their  own  race  and  language,  and  this 
peculiar  relation  should  be  held  by  the  missionary  only  temporarily 
and  for  the  shortest  possible  time.  The  pastor  nominated  by  the  mis- 
sion, or  approved  by  it, — when  he  is  to  be  for  a time  sustained  wholly 
or  in  part  by  missionary  funds, — and  chosen  by  the  church,  should  be 
solemnly  ordained,  as  such,  by  the  mission,  or  under  its  direction. 
And,  as  a general  rule,  ordination  should  be  limited  to  those  who  are 
to  sustain  the  pastoral  relation.  The  church  being  thus  organized 
and  the  pastor  ordained,  the  missionary  is  relieved  from  the  details  of 
pastoral  work  in  that  particular  church,  and  left  at  liberty  to  prosecute 
his  work  in  other  directions,  and  gather  churches  in  other  places 
within  his  sphere.  But  he  is  not  thereby  released  at  once  from  all 
connection  with  the  infant  church,  and  responsibility  for  it.  On  the 
contrary,  he  incurs  new  responsibilities.  The  church  he  has  estab- 
lished will  now  look  to  him  as  an  overseer.  He  is  bound  to  watch 
over  it  in  respect  to  all  matters,  which  he  may  deem  important  to 
its  spiritual  welfare  and  the  prosperity  of  the  Redeemer’s  cause. 
To  maintain  such  an  influence,  he  must  make  a diligent  and  right  use 
of  the  word  of  God,  rightly  dividing  the  same,  and  employing  it  for 
doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  correction  and  instruction  in  righteousness ; 
at  the  same  time  commending  his  instructions  to  the  consciences  of 
all  by  a godly  life  and  conversation.  The  missionary’s  right  ot  visi- 
tation will  exist  until  the  church  becomes  independent  of  pecuniary 
aid  from  the  mission.  By  that  time  he  may  hope  to  have  left  upon  the 


15 


church  the  impress  of  divine  truth,  and  to  have  established  it  in  Chris- 
tian order  to  such  a degree,  that  he  will  not  fear  to  see  it  stand  alone, 
nor  be  ashamed  when  he  contemplates  the  work  which  God  has  been 
pleased  to  accomplish  through  his  feeble  instrumentality. 

The  work«of  training  up  suitable  pastors  for  the  churches,  is  one  of 
the  first  importance.  The  length  of  time  they  should  be  under  instruc- 
tion and  on  probation  will  vary  according  to  the  character  and  previous 
attainments  of  the  individual,  and  the  nature  and  necessities  of  the 
position  he  is  to  occupy.  Any  amount  of  sound  secular  knowledge 
they  may  have  obtained,  is  not  to  be  despised  or  thrown  away,  but 
directed  in  sanctified  channels.  Of  theological  instruction  there 
should  be  more  than  a smattering;  and  a thorough  acquaintance  with 
the  volume  of  inspiration  and  facility  in  using  it  are  indispensable. 
The  course  of  study  should  be  combined  with  and  relieved  by  frequent 
seasons  of  itinerary  or  local  preaching  and  strictly  evangelical  labor, 
that  the  candidate  may  be  practically  and  thoroughly  fitted  for  his 
high  calling;  and  it  may  be  mentioned,  as  by  no  means  unessential, 
that  he  have  a right  and  kindly  appreciation  of  the  true  relations  which 
he,  and  the  church  over  which  he  may  be  ordained,  will  sustain  to  the 
missionary  and  mission,  by  whom  he  is  to  be  inducted  into  the  sacred 
office. 

The  principles  thus  briefly  stated  are  those,  in  the  opinion  of  the 
committee,  on  which  the  operations  of  this  mission  are,  in  an  increas- 
ing measure,  conducted.  If  they  have  been  in  any  instance  and  to 
any  extent  departed  from,  the  departure  has  been  the  means,  ultimately, 
of  revealing  to  us  their  soundness  and  importance.  All  our  past  expe- 
rience confirms  the  suggestions  made  to  us  at  this  meeting  by  our 
honored  and  beloved  Secretary  ; and  we  ask  of  God  grace  to  enable 
us,  as  individuals  and  as  a mission,  to  give  ourselves,  in  the  applica- 
tion of  these  truths,  wholly  to  the  high  and  solemn  work  of  the  gospel 
ministry. 


G.  B.  WHITING, 

J.  EDWARDS  FORD, 


Committee. 


III. 

LOCATION  OF  MISSIONARIES. 

The  mission,  after  much  deliberation  on  the  subject  of  the  location 
of  missionaries,  have  arrived  at  the  following  conclusions,  which  we 
will  proceed  to  notice,  making  a few  explanatory  remarks  in  passing. 

1.  The  first  change  recommended  is  the  transfer  of  Mr.  Bird  from 


16 


the  Abeih  station  to  the  new  station  at  Deir  el  Komr.  The  reasons 
for  this  step  are,  that  the  mission  have  long  regarded  that  place  as  a 
very  important  post  to  be  occupied,  and  that  the  present  seems  a very 
desirable  time  for  placing  one  of  our  number  there,  and  thus  taking 
possession  of  the  field. 

2.  The  second  change  we  recommend  is  the  transfer  of  Mr.  Whit- 
ing from  the  Beirut  to  the  Abeih  station.  It  is  reason  enough  for  this 
change,  that  the  removal  of  Mr.  Bird  would  leave  the  Abeih  station 
with  but  one  missionary,  while  the  labor  to  be  performed  in  connec- 
tion with  the  seminary  and  station  demands  two. 

3.  The  third  change  we  propose  is  the  removal  of  Mr.  Ford  from 
the  Aleppo  to  the  Beirut  station,  there  to  have  the  care  of  the  native 
church,  and  to  attend  to  the  general  missionary  work  of  the  station, 
aside  from  any  connection  with  the  press,  or  the  translation  of  the 
Scriptures.  The  removal  of  Mr.  Whiting  from  the  Beirut  station 
leaves  a vacancy,  which  the  interests  of  the  cause  demand  should  be 
immediately  filled.  In  the  mean  time,  the  experience  of  the  last  seven 
years,  during  which  Aleppo  has  been  occupied  as  a station,  has  con- 
vinced the  mission  that  the  Armenian  element  is  there  in  a state  of 
much  greater  readiness  to  receive  the  gospel  than  is  the  Arab  popula- 
tion ; and  in  addition  to  this  the  assurance  of  Dr.  Anderson,  the 
senior  Secretary  of  the  Board,  now  with  us,  that  the  Armenian  mis- 
sion will  be  able  soon  to  spread  itself  over  the  territory  which  includes 
Aleppo,  seems  to  make  it  plainly  our  duty  to  transfer  Mr.  Ford  from 
Aleppo,  lest  his  services  be  lost  to  the  Arab  field. 

4.  The  fourth  change  we  recommend  is  the  transfer  of  Mr.  Lyons 
from  his  temporary  connection  with  the  Beirut  station  to  that  of 
Tripoli. 

In  addition  to  the  above  mentioned  changes,  the  mission  also  advise 
Mr.  Wilson  to  remove  from  Tripoli  to  his  station  at  Homs  next  spring, 
or  earlier  if  practicable. 

The  question  whether  Mr.  Eddy  be  removed  from  the  Aleppo  sta- 
tion to  Ivefr  Shima,  or  to  some  other  place  in  the  southern  portion  of 
our  field,  the  mission  refer  to  Dr.  Anderson,  to  be  settled  by  himself 
in  connection  with  those  members  of  the  mission  who  shall  be  with 
him  in  his  proposed  visit  to  Northern  Syria. 

It  is  also  agreed  that  Mr.  Jessup,  who  is  under  appointment  to  this 
mission,  have  permission,  on  arriving  in  Syria,  to  attach  himself,  for 
the  present,  to  the  station  at  Tripoli ; but  that  this  relation  be  regarded 
as  temporary. 

The  present  opinion  of  the  mission  is,  that  ultimately  most,  if  not 
all,  our  stations  in  Lebanon  may  be  manned  with  one  missionary  each ; 
especially  should  that  missionary  be  associated  with  a native  preacher, 
one  of  which  class  we  would  rejoice  to  place  at  every  station,  partic- 


17 


ularly  at  every  station  where  there  is  a native  church.  On  this  last 
point  we  would  add,  that  there  seems  a manifest  propriety  in  native 
preachers  being  made  the  pastors  of  native  churches,  each  one  of 
whom  may,  however,  for  a time,  need  the  advice  and  general  super- 
vision of  a missionary.  Nothing  but  the  want  of  suitable  men  for 
native  pastors  has,  in  time  past,  prevented,  or  can  in  time  to  come 
prevent,  this  mission  from  ordaining  over  every  native  church  its  own 
native  pastor. 

In  reference  to  the  location  of  the  three  missionaries  who  are  under 
appointment  to  this  mission,  we  will  say  that  Mr.  Jessup,  on  arriving, 
can  be  associated,  as  a temporary  arrangement,  with  Mr.  Lyons  at 
Tripoli ; while  the  turn  others  expected  can,  for  a season  at  least,  be 
located  at  Homs  and  Deir  el  Komr. 

W.  M.  THOMSON,  Chairman. 


IY. 

SUMMER  RESIDENCES.  . 

We  cannot  but  regard  it  as  a reason  for  gratitude,  that  the  members 
of  our  mission  stationed  at  Beirut,  Sidon  and  Tripoli,  can  obtain  in  the 
mountains  cool  summer  residences,  where  they  escape  from  the  heat  of 
the  plain,  and  pass  the  most  trying  portion  of  the  summer  in  comparative 
safety.  The  experience  of  this  mission  has  shown,  that  such  a change 
of  air  is  advisable  for  all  the  families  of  missionaries  residing  on  the 
plain,  and  that  for  some  of  them  it  is  indispensably  necessary.  Some- 
thing may  be  done,  in  the  way  of  shutting  the  heated  air  out  of  their 
dwellings,  to  shorten  the  absence  of  the  missionary  families  from  their 
stations  ; yet,  after  all  has  been  done  that  can  be  done,  it  will  still  be 
true,  that  it  is  advisable  for  every  missionary  family  connected  with 
these  stations  to  spend  a portion  of  each  summer  on  the  mountains. 
The  prevailing,  if  not  the  unanimous  opinion  among  us  is,  that  any 
family  which  remains  during  the  whole  summer  at  any  one  of  these 
stations,  does  so  at  the  risk  of  shortening  the  time  of  its  connection 
with  the  mission.  With  these  prefatory  remarks  we  proceed  to  speak 
to  the  following  points. 

1.  The  Location  of  Summer  Residences. 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  remark,  that  the  home  of  the  missionary, 
so  far  as  a missionary  can  be  said  to  have  a home,  is  at  the  place  where 
he  is  stationed ; and  that  in  selecting  his  summer  residence,  he  should 
3 


18 


have  special  reference  to  the  interests  of  the  missionary  cause  at  that 
station,  and  should  so  locate  himself  that  he  may  be  able  to  do  as  much 
as  possible  for  its  welfare  during  the  time  when  his  family  are  neces- 
sarily absent.  We  regard  it  as  highly  desirable,  that  the  summer  resi- 
dence of  the  missionary  be  within  a ride  of  three  hours  of  his  station, 
that  he  may  visit  the  city  or  return  from  it  during  the  cool  of  the  day. 
In  former  years  it  has  not  always  been  easy  to  obtain  suitable  summer 
residences  so  near  the  stations  ; yet,  so  far  as  Beirut  is  concerned,  it 
is  probable  that  the  families  belonging  to  that  station  could  now  be 
accommodated  in  villages,  which  would  at  the  same  time  be  sufficiently 
elevated  to  afford  the  desired  change  of  climate,  and  sufficiently  near 
to  the  coast  to  allow  the  missionary,  whenever  occasion  may  require,  to 
descend  to  the  city,  and  return  the  same  day.  And  should  he  wish  to 
spend  several  days  of  each  week  at  his  station,  (a  thing  which  nothing 
avoidable  should  prevent,)  even  in  that  case  a distance  of  three  hours 
would  be  greatly  preferable  to  one  of  five  or  six  hours.  And  we  may 
add,  that,  in  designating  missionaries  to  stations  on  the  plain,  regard 
should  be  had  to  the  probability  or  the  improbability  of  their  being 
able  to  perform  labor  at  their  stations  during  the  summer  season. 

2.  Amodnt  of  time  to  be  spent  at  Summer  Residences. 

No  rule,  which  will  apply  in  all  cases,  can  be  laid  down  ; since  the 
circumstances  of  no  two  families  can  ever  be  in  all  respects  the  same; 
yet  we  would  express  the  opinion  that,  in  the  case  of  families  in 
ordinary  circumstances  as  to  health  and  powers  of  endurance,  it  can 
seldom  be  necessary  to  leave  the  plain  earlier  than  the  first  week  in 
July,  or  return  later  than  the  first  week  in  October.  But  whenever  a 
missionary  feels  constrained,  from  whatever  cause,  to  exceed  these 
limits,  he  should  deem  it  his  duty  to  notify  the  Secretaries  of  the  fact, 
and  give  his  reasons  for  going  beyond  these  bounds.  While  there  may 
be  some  who,  owing  to  the  state  of  their  own  health  or  that  of  their 
families,  oucffit  to  go  earlier  to  the  mountains  or  return  later,  there 
are  doubtless  others  who  can,  with  no  risk  to  health  and  with  no  loss 
of  strength  and  vigor,  bring  the  time  spent  at  their  summer  residences 
within  the  limits  of  two  months. 

3.  Location  of  Summer  Residences  with  reference  to  the  greatest 
good  of  the  mountain  population. 

Though  the  primary  object  of  the  members  of  the  stations,  under 
consideration,  in  resorting  to  the  mountains,  is  not  the  propagation  of 
the  gospel  in  the  mountains,  yet  since  they  must  spend  a portion  of 
each  year  in  those  villages,  a regard  for  the  welfare  of  the  people 
about  them  will  constrain  them  to  disperse  themselves  as  much  as 


19 


possible,  in  order  that  there  may  be  the  largest  possible  number  of 
points  from  which  the  light  may  radiate.  In  no  case  is  it  desirable 
that  more  than  two  missionaries  should  summer  in  the  same  village  ; 
tfnd  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  in  future,  as  heretofore,  single  missionary 
families  may  be  able  to  dispense,  for  the  brief  season  of  their  summer 
sojourn,  with  the  acknowledged  luxury  of  American  society.  We  are 
the  more  encouraged  in  this  hope  by  the  fact,  that  at  the  present  time 
Mr.  Whiting  and  family  occupy  a village  alone,  as  does  also  Mr. 
Lyons,  neither  of  which  villages  has  ever  before  enjoyed  the  labors  of 
any  of  our  number.  With  such  precautions  as  have  been  mentioned, 
we  see  no  reason  why  the  time  spent  in  the  mountains,  by  the  members 
of  the  stations  on  the  coast,  should  be  regarded  as  lost  time.  The 
experience  of  the  Beirut  station  clearly  proves,  that  it  is  not  lost  time, 
but  that  by  this  means  the  leaven  of  the  gospel  has  been  introduced 
into  parts  beyond,  and  that  already  are  we  permitted  to  see  some  of 
the  blessed  results,  which  we  fondly  hope  may  prove  but  as  the  first 
fruits  of  an  abundant  harvest. 

In  concluding  we  remark,  that,  owing  to  the  great  inconvenience  of 
transporting  household  furniture  to  and  from  the  mountains,  it  is  highly 
desirable  that  summer  residences  be  selected  for  a term  of  years,  and 
that  they  be  furnished  with  such  coarse  furniture  as  will  answer  the 
purpose.  In  this  way  much  loss  in  time  and  labor  may  be  saved,  as 
well  as  injury  to  furniture  from  two  removals  each  summer  be  wholly 
avoided. 

• • ELI  SMITH,  Chairman. 


V. 

EDUCATION. 

Seminary  for  Males. 

The  object  of  the  Seminary  for  Males  has  been  so  often  and  so  fully 
explained  in  our  annual  reports,  that  we  need  not  enlarge  upon  it  here. 
That  object  is  simply  the  training  of  an  efficient  native  agency  in  the 
departments  of  teaching  and  preaching.  And  although  we  have  not 
hitherto  been  able  to  secure  to  a large  extent  this  object,  at  least  in 
the  department  of  preaching,  yet  we  are,  we  think,  making  a steady 
progress  in  the  right  direction.  Many  of  our  best  teachers  are'grad- 
uates  of  the  seminary,  and  are  most  usefully  employed.  Our  present 
number  is  but  fourteen,  and  most  of  them  are  of  good  promise.  Of 
four  or  five,  we  have  hope  that  they  have  been  renewed  in  the  spirit  of 
their  mind ; and  we  may  add  here,  that  five  or  six  of  our  recent  grad- 


20 


uates  are  applying  for  admission  to  the  church,  most  or  all  of  whom 
will  ere  long  be  admitted,  and  two  of  whom  at  least,  we  hope,  will 
become  preachers  of  the  gospel. 

Our  course  of  study,  extending  nominally  over  a period  of  four 
years,  embraces  a pretty  wide  range  of  Arabic  grammar  and  liter- 
ature, geography,  history,  arithmetic,  and  considerable  portions  of  the 
higher  mathematics,  with  their  applications  to  natural  philosophy  and 
astronomy.  Our  chief  attention,  however,  is  directed  10  the  study  of 
the  Bible  ; and  our  aim  is  to  give  the  pupils  a thorough  and  systematic 
course  of  instruction  in  these  sacred  oracles.  On  this  point  we  need 
not  enlarge,  as  our  views  and  practice  are  fully  explained  in  the  last 
three  annual  reports. 

The  English  language  has  received  comparatively  little  attention, 
and  our  intention  is  to  confine  the  study  of  it  to  such  pupils  as  give 
decided  promise  of  becoming  more  useful  by  such  an  acquisition. 
In  some  instances,  we  are  decidedly  of  opinion  that  the  individual 
will  be  more  useful  by  confining  himself  to  the  study  of  his  owm 
tongue. 

Ultimate  success  in  the  attainment  of  our  grand  design,  must  depend 
on  the  success  vouchsafed  by  the  Head  of  the  Church  to  the  more 
direct  efforts  of  the  mission  for  the  evangelization  of  the  community. 
For  such  a success  we  constantly  pray,  and  shall  hail  the  time  when, 
as  a result  thereof,  our  seminary  shall  become  solely  and  simply  a 
school  of  the  prophets  of  the  Lord. 

Female  Seminary. 

The  proper  person  to  write  a history  of  the  Female  Seminary  is 
now  in  America,  and  we  can  only  give  a very  brief  outline.  In  the 
autumn  of  1849,  the  seminary  w'as  commenced  by  the  reception  of  a 
class  of  girls  into  the  family  of  Dr.  De  Forest  as  boarding  scholars. 
They  were  instructed  by  Mrs.  De  Forest,  assisted  by  two  native  girls 
who  had  been  trained  for  some  years  previous  in  the  Doctor’s  family. 
The  prescribed  course  of  education  extended  through  four  years; 
and  it  was  a fundamental  idea  in  the  plan,  that  the  pupils  should 
return  to  their  homes  in  vacations,  and,  at  the  end  of  the  course,  the 
mission  should  be  relieved  from  all  responsibility  in  relation  to  them. 
The  seminary  year  was  divided  into  two  terms,  winter  and  summer. 
The  winter  term  w’as  at  Beirut,  and  continued  somew'hat  more  than 
five  months.  The  summer  term  w'as  of  nearly  the  same  length,  and 
was  on  Lebanon,  in  B’hamdun  at  first,  and  subsequently  at  Abeih. 
Without  entering  into  details  in  regard  to  the  course  of  study  pur- 
sued, we  are  happy  to  say  that  the  results  w'ere  very  gratifying,  and 
proved,  if  proof  were  needed,  that  there  is  the  same  capacity  in  the 
female  mind  of  the  country,  that  there  is  in  the  male ; and  that,  under 


21 


proper  instruction,  and  by  the  blessing  of  God,  there  will  be  brought 
forward  a class  of  intelligent,  pious  and  efficient  female  helpers  in  the 
great  work  of  evangelizing  this  community. 

™In  the  spring  of  1850,  Miss  Whittlesey  arrived  from  the  United  States 
to  assist  Mrs.  De  Forest  in  the  instruction  of  the  school,  and  was  mak- 
ing rapid  progress  in  Arabic  and  in  adapting  herself  to  her  important 
work,  when  she  was  suddenly  called  away  by  death,  just  one  year  after 
her  arrival.  It  then  became  necessary  that  Dr.  De  Forest  should 
devote  a considerable  portion  of  his  time  to  the  instruction  of  the 
pupils,  which  he  continued  to  do,  with  great  success,  until  the  spring 
of  1854,  when  he  was  compelled,  by  the  failure  of  his  health,  to 
return  to  the  United  States  for  a season.  The  school  was  then  re- 
duced in  numbers  by  dismissing  the  younger  pupils,  and  in  this  form 
it  was  committed  to  the  care  of  Miss  Cheney  (who  had  recently 
arrived  from  America)  in  the  family  of  Mr.  Wilson,  who  was  tempo- 
rarily removed  to  Beirut  for  that  purpose.  At  the  close  of  the  sum- 
mer term,  however,  the  providence  of  God  seemed  to  call  Mr.  Wilson 
to  another  sphere  of  labor,  and  the  necessity  of  affording  better  facil- 
ities to  Miss  Cheney  for  acquiring  the  Arabic,  induced  the  mission  to 
suspend  the  seminary.  It  has  remained  in  suspension  up  to  the  pres- 
ent time;  but  we  trust  that  it  may  be  speedily  re-opened,  with  every 
necessary  facility  for  increased  usefulness. 

The  mission  are  of  opinion  that  this  seminary,  when  re-opened, 
should  be  located  on  the  mountains.  It  should  not  be  in  Abeih,  be- 
cfuse  the  male  seminary  is  there  ; nor  at  B’hamdun,  because  too  high 
and  too  cold.  The  accommodations  necessary  will  be  a suitable 
dwelling  for  the  mission  family  which  is  to  reside  at  the  place  of  loca- 
tion, and  also  for  the  teachers  of  the  seminary  and  their  pupils,  with 
the  requisite  school  and  recitation  rooms.  If  native  houses  can  be 
rented  and  repaired  so  as  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  institution,  this  is 
decidedly  recommended.  And  in  any  case,  the  building  should  cor- 
respond, in  simplicity  and  cheapness,  as  nearly  as  practicable,  to  the 
homes  of  the  pupils  who  are  to  be  educated  in  the  seminary. 

As  to  the  character  of  the  pupils,  it  is  desirable,  as  far  as  may  be, 
that  they  should  be  the  daughters  of  Protestant  parents;  and,  whether 
such  or  not,  none  should  be  received  but  such  as  give  fair  promise  of 
becoming  valuable  helpers  in  the  great  work  of  evangelizing  this  peo- 
ple, and  the  instruction  should  all  be  adapted  to  this  end. 

It  is  the  opinion  of  the  mission,  that  the  instruction  of  the  pupils 
should  be  committed  entirely  to  females,  and  that  an  additional  teacher 
should  be  sent  out  from  America,  as  soon  as  practicable,  to  be  asso- 
ciated with  Miss  Cheney.  The  instruction  given  should  be  in  the 
Arabic  language,  and  English  should  not  be  taught  in  the  seminary 
at  all. 


22 


Common  Schools. 

In  order  to  correct  a misapprehension  in  relation  to  our  schools,  it 
is  important  to  state  that  we  live  amongst  and  labor  for  a mixed  pop- 
ulation, composed  of  Greeks,  Greek-Catholics,  Maronites,  and  DruzdR1 
When  we  speak  of  schools  among  the  Druzes,  we  only  mean  that  they 
are  located  in  that  part  of  Lebanon  where  this  people  chiefly  reside, 
and  where  their  feudal  Sheikhs  are  the  governors  of  the  districts.  The 
schools  themselves,  with  only  two  or  three  recent  exceptions,  are  com- 
posed of  pupils  from  those  various  sects  who  reside  together  in  the 
same  villages.  With  these  rare  exceptions,  they  are  all  Christian 
schools,  in  which  only  a portion  of  the  scholars  are  Druzes.  The 
teachers  are  in  every  case  (except  one)  Christians,  generally  trained 
up  by  ourselves  ; are  always  Protestants  ; and  the  books  are  the  Bible 
and  our  own  religious  school  books.  Careful  religious  instruction 
forms  an  essential  part  of  the  teaching  in  every  case,  and  the  mission- 
ary, within  whose  district  they  are  located,  is  expected  to  keep  a strict 
supervision  over  them  by  frequent  visits  and  examinations.  Nor  is 
there  any  departure  from  these  principles  in  the  two  or  three  cases  in 
which  schools  for  special  reasons  have  been  opened  in  villages  wholly 
Druze. 

Schools  thus  located  and  conducted,  we  regard  as  a very  necessary 
part  of  our  missionary  work.  They  secure  the  confidence  and  favor 
of  the  Druze  Sheikhs,  and  their  protection  for  ourselves  and  our  con- 
verts against  papal  opposition  and  intrigue.  They  secure  the  educa- 
tion of  all  Protestant  children  in  the  country,  and  the  same  for  that 
far  larger  class  of  semi-protestants  who  are  to  be  found  all  over  the 
land.  They  greatly  multiply  intelligent  readers  of  the  word  of  God, 
and  other  good  books.  They  give  the  missionary  the  right  to  be  in 
all  those  villages,  and  to  visit  the  people  in  their  houses  without  ques- 
tion ; and  they  tend  every  where  to  open  new  fields  for  preaching,  and 
to  gather  permanent  congregations  to  hear  the  gospel.  Thus,  in  fact, 
the  Protestant  communities  at  Kefr  Shima,  Ain  Zehalta,  Suk  el 
Ghurb,  Aranmn,  and  other  places,  have  been  formed. 

During  the  past  year,  the  mission  sustained  twenty-four  schools  at 
the  different  stations.  Seven  were  in  connection  with  the  Sidon  and 
Hasbeiya  stations,  five  were  connected  with  Abeih,  eight  with  B’ham- 
dun,  three  with  Beirut,  and  one  with  Aleppo.  Five  of  these  schools 
were  exclusively  for  girls ; the  rest  for  boys,  with  a few  girls  in  most 
of  them.  The  age  at  which  the  pupils  cease  to  attend  school  is  sub- 
ject to  no  general  rule.  There  are  but  few  scholars  in  our  common 
schools  over  twelve  years  of  age. 

The  opinion  is  entertained  amongst  us,  that  in  certain  portions  of 
our  field  the  number  of  schools  might  be  diminished  without  material 
injury  to  the  cause  of  Christ.  But  while  this  is  true  in  some  of  the 


23 


older  stations,  the  exigencies  of  the  work  in  new  fields  may  require 
enlargement  "in  this  department  of  labor. 

As  our  schools  are  not  established  particularly  for  the  Druzes,  there 
seems  to  be  no  special  reason  to  inquire,  in  this  connection,  whether 
or  not  the  penalty  of  death  for  apostasy  from  their  religion  exists 
among  that  people.  We  need  these  schools  all  the  same,  whether  this 
is  or  is  not  true.  It  is  our  conviction,  however,  that  there  is  no  such 
law,  certainly  not  in  regard  to  the  uninitiated  who  compose  the  larger 
part  of  the  nation.  No  doubt  converts  to  Christianity  from  amongst 
them  would  be  exposed  to  severe  persecution  in  many  cases.  But  the 
same  is  true  among  the  Maronites,  and,  indeed,  amongst  the  Christian 
sects  generally.  But  this  fact  has  no  more  special  bearing  upon  our 
schools  than  upon  other  departments  of  our  work.  On  the  contrary, 
it  affects  more  closely  the  direct  work  of  preaching  the  gospel.  But 
the  fact  that  converts  will  suffer  persecution  should  certainly  not  deter 
us  for  a moment  from  preaching  the  gospel,  with  all  the  power  we  can 
command,  to  both  Druzes  and  nominal  Christians. 

S.  H.  CALHOUN,  Chairman. 


VI. 

ENGLISH  PREACHING. 

The  only  congregation  connected  with  our  mission,  in  which  there 
is  regular  preaching  in  English,  is  at  Beirut.  The  English  service 
there  was  begun  at  the  commencement  of  the  mission,  and  has  been 
continued  to  the  present  time,  with  only  such  interruptions  as  have 
been  occasioned  by  the  absence  of  the  missionaries.  In  connection 
with  these  labors,  and  doubtless  in  consequence  of  them,  we  have  had 
the  happiness  of  seeing  our  English  community,  which  has  been  at 
times  much  larger  than  now,  pretty  uniformly  a moral,  exemplary  and 
church-going  people,  commending  to  the  natives  our  religion  by  their 
example,  and  our  labors  by  their  influence.  And  also  by  attending 
ourselves  in  this  way  to  their  spiritual  wants,  we  have  the  advantage 
of  remaining  free  from  the  distracting  and  rival  sectarian  influences, 
which  might  arise  from  the  opening  of  an  English  service,  independent 
of  ourselves.  Had  this  service  never  existed,  we  should  in  all  proba- 
bility have  been  surrounded  by  a Protestant  colony  of  our  own  lan- 
guage, whose  example  and  direct  influence  would  go  far  towards 
neutralizing  the  effect  of  our  labors  among  the  natives  ; a state  of 
things  actually  existing  in  other  places. 


24 


The  amount  of  labor  this  service  requires,  is  one  sermon  a Sabbath 
(generally  extempore)  for  about  eight  months  in  the*  year.  The 
amount  of  Arabic  labor  performed  on  the  Sabbath,  is  the  same  as  if  it 
did  not  exist,  and  at  hours  which  have  been  thought  as  favorable  far 
the  assembling  of  the  natives.  It  has  appeared,  from  experiment  one 
season,  that  as  many  probably  assemble,  at  the  earlier  hour  now  occu- 
pied by  their  morning  service,  as  would  come  together  at  the  time  of 
the  English.  Whether  more  would  meet  at  a place  where  no  English 
service  was  held,  is  a matter  of  conjecture  ; but  it  is  worthy  of  consid- 
eration. We  are  not  prepared  now  to  recommend  a change  in  this 
respect. 

Nor  do  we,  at  present,  see  our  way  clear  to  recommend  an  entire 
suspension  of  the  English  service  ; though  it  doubtless  draws  some- 
what upon  the  strength  of  the  station.  It  should,  unquestionably,  be 
kept  subordinate  to  the  labors  performed  in  Arabic,  and  not  be  allowed 
to  stand  in  the  way  of  their  efficiency.  And  we  recommend  to  the 
brethren  of  the  Beirut  station,  to  consider  whether  any  change  in  the 
time  or  manner  of  conducting  the  service  may  be  made,  in  order  to 
secure  effectually  this  important  point. 

ELI  SMITH,  Chairman. 


VII. 

PRINTING  ESTABLISHMENT. 

1.  Its  Extent  and  Pecuniary  Value. 

The  number  of  workmen  connected  with  the  press,  all  of  whom  are 
natives,  is  seven  ; five  are  compositors,  one  a caster,  and  one  a boy. 

In  the  printing  department  there  are  two  hand  presses,  one  standing 
press,  and  one  steam  press  of  one-horse  power,  capable  of  throwing  off 
eight  hundred  impressions  per  hour. 

There  are  in  the  establishment  three  founts  of  Arabic  type,  beside 
an  incomplete  fount  of  capitals.  Of  these  three  founts,  the  first  is 
capable  of  setting  up  about  eighty-four  pages  of  12mo.,  the  second 
seventy-two,  and  the  third  forty-eight  pages.  For  the  third  fount,  a 
few  vowels  yet  remain  to  be  cast.  There  are  also  three  small  founts 
of  English  type,  used  only  for  job  work. 

In  the  foundery  there  is  one  casting  pump,  three  sets  of  moulds 
each  consisting  of  four,  one  for  capitals,  three  complete  sets  of  mat- 
rices, and  one  incomplete  set. 


25 


The  bindery  is  complete,  and  sufficient  for  the  demands  of  the 
office. 

The  pecuniary  value  of  the  whole  establishment,  as  nearly  as  can 
be  estimated,  is  $6,348. 

2.  History. 

The  operations  of  the  press  were  begun  in  1835,  with  an  incomplete 
fount  of  badly  shaped  Arabic  type,  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  George 
P.  Badger  as  printer.  Between  the  years  1837  and  1839,  a new  set  of 
punches  and  matrices  was  made  at  Smyrna,  after  improved  models,  by 
Mr.  Hallock,  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Smith,  and  types  cast  from 
them  in  Germany.  In  1841  Mr.  Hurter  arrived,  bringing  with  him 
from  Smyrna  the  new  type,  as  well  as  a foundery.  Since  then,  two  new 
sets  of  punches  and  matrices  have  been  made  by  Mr.  Hallock,  after 
the  same  models,  in  the  United  States,  and  two  founts  cast  from  them, 
one  in  the  United  States  and  the  other  here  ; and  an  incomplete  set  of 
punches  and  matrices  for  capitals  made  there  and  cast  here. 

3.  Whole  amount  expended  on  the  new  Arabic  type. 

The  amount  thus  expended  is  $3,905,  of  which  the  American  Bible 
Society  contributed,  indirectly,  $1,000  for  the  third  fount,  being  money 
paid  for  services  of  the  translator.  This  sum  of  $3,905  does  not  include 
the  cost  of  labor  performed  by  persons  in  the  employ  of  the  Board. 

4.  How  extensive  the  establishment  needs  to  be. 

In  answer  to  this  question,  we  will  say  that  the  mission  have  no  idea 
of  enlarging  the  press,  after  the  additions  already  begun  have  been 
completed.  The  principal  of  these  are  a fount  of  small  type  now  in 
process  of  completion  in  the  United  States,  and  a fount  of  capitals. 
There  is  a probability  that  the  number  of  workmen  will  be  diminished, 
rather  than  increased.  The  press  we  regard  as  an  auxiliary,  and  a 
very  valuable  and  indispensable  one,  in  our  missionary  operations. 
Since  its  commencement,  there  have  been  thrown  off  books  and  tracts 
amounting  to  1,595,000  pages,  all  in  Arabic.  Their  typographical 
execution  is  good,  and  the  form  of  our  new  types  is  generally  consid- 
ered as  unsurpassed  by  any  that  are  used  for  printing  Arabic ; while 
the  style  of  composition,  owing  in  a good  degree  to  the  ability  and 
taste  of  the  Arab  corrector,  is  setting  the  standard  of  modern  Arabic 
writing,  and  creating  a taste  for  reading  where  our  books  are  circu- 
lated.  The  issues  from  our  press  are  called  for  and  highly  prized  in 
India,  Egypt,  and  Constantinople ; and  we  confidently  expect  that,  as 
missions  multiply  among  the  millions  speaking  the  Arabic  language, 
the  demand  for  them,  as  well  as  their  usefulness,  will  more  and  more 
increase.  No  exceptions  have  ever  been  taken  to  the  Arabic  of  our 
4 


26 


books,  however  unpopular  the  subject-matter  of  them  must  necessarily 
be  among  a people  either  anti-Christian,  or  Christian  only  in  name. 
We  deem  it  of  the  highest  importance  that,  for  the  present,  our  press 
be  left  on  its  existing  foundation,  in  order  that  the  new  Bible  may  be 
carried  through,  as  it  has  been  most  auspiciously  begun  ; that  school- 
books be  provided,  and  that,  from  time  to  time,  we  may  publish  such 
works  in  Arabic  as  shall  seem  to  us  most  likely  to  prove  useful  to  our 
cause.  Whatever  may  be  said  of  other  mission  presses,  we  must  insist 
that  the  press  of  the  Syrian  mission  is  in  no  great  danger  of  attaining 
a magnitude  out  of  proportion,  as  compared  with  its  relative  mission- 
ary value.  Books  we  must  have,  good  books  ; and  there  is  no  other 
way  of  obtaining  them  but  to  make  them  for  ourselves.  The  most  of 
our  number  have  little  inclination  to  provide  “ copy  ” for  the  press. 
On  the  contrary,  during  the  last  few  years,  the  difficulty  has  been  to 
induce  members  of  the  mission  to  provide  treatises,  when  their  great 
need  was  felt  and  acknowledged  by  all  our  number.  At  this  time  we 
are  in  great  need  of  some  elementary  works  for  our  schools  and  sem- 
inary ; yet  the  probability  is  that  years  will  elapse  before  any  one  of 
our  number  will  find  time  to  supply  the  demand.  If  there  be  dan- 
ger in  any  direction  as  to  the  demands  of  the  press,  it  is  in  reference 
to  our  translator.  It  is  more  than  possible  that  the  translation  may  be 
delayed  by  the  relation  he  sustains  to  the  press  as  editor.  This  is  a 
matter  of  sufficient  importance  to  call  for  the  attention  of  both  the 
Prudential  Committee  and  our  mission.  The  printing  in  English  is 
all  job  work,  and,  so  far  as  we  can  see,  not  likely  to  become  so  consid- 
erable in  amount  as  to  affect  the  usefulness  of  our  press  one  way 
or  the  other.  We  have  already  printed  several  works  in  Arabic,  by 
..native  authors,  at  their  expense  ; and  it  is  probable  that  the  demand 
for  Arabic  books,  which  has  been  created  by  our  press,  will  ere  long 
originate  other  presses,  at  which,  before  many  years  shall  pass,  our 
printing  can  be  done,  on  the  whole,  at  better  advantage  than  at  our 
own.  When  that  time  shall  come,  it  will  be  soon  enough  to  shape  our 
missionary  policy  with  reference  to  it.  That  our  press  has  not  been 
left  by  the  mission  to  itself,  or  to  those  in  more  immediate  connection 
with  it,  we  may  offer  as  proof  the  following  “Regulations”  of  our 
mission  ; premising,  at  the  same  time,  that  they  have  not  proved  a 
dead  letter,  but  a living  law,  controlling,  or  rather  regulating,  the 
action  of  the  mission. 

“ 1.  The  press  shall  be  under  the  supervision  of  the  two  committees 
directed  by  the  Prudential  Committee  to  be  appointed,  in  the  commu- 
nication of  Dr.  Anderson,  February  23,  1835. 

“ 2.  These  committees  shall  report  their  operations  semi-annually  to 
the  Beirut  station,  and  also  to  the  mission  at  each  regular  general 
meeting. 


27 


“ 3.  No  work  shall  be  put  to  press,  at  the  expense  of  the  mission, 
without  the  approbation  of  the  station  at  which  it  was  prepared,  and 
until  it  be  approved  by  a majority  of  the  members  of  the  mission. 

“ 4.  The  editing  committee  shall  not  put  to  press  any  work  which 
they  suppose  will  be  regarded  by  any  of  the  members  ot  the  mission 
as  objectionable  on  the  ground  of  doctrine,  or  of  expediency,  or  which 
is  so  regarded  by  themselves  ; but  shall  refer  the  question  ot  its  publi- 
cation to  the  mission.” 

ELT  SMITH,  Chairman. 


VIII. 

NEW  BOOKS  NEEDED. 

1.  Elementary  Reading  Book.  1 

2.  Simple  Geography.  \ For  Common  Schools. 

3.  Simple  Arithmetic.  ) 

4.  A work  on  Mental  Philosophy.  ") 

5.  A work  on  Moral  Philosophy.  1 

6.  A work  on  Chemistry  (not  to  be  printed).  )■  For  the  Seminary. 

7.  A work  on  Natural  Theology. 

8.  Text-book  on  Theology.  j 

9.  History  of  the  Church. 

10.  On  the  Offices  and  Work  of  Christ. 

11.  Brief  Commentary  on  the  Sacred  Scriptures. 

12.  Book  of  Sermons  (begun). 

13.  D’Aubigne’s  Reformation  (translated). 

14.  On  the  Sabbath  (written,  but  needs  editing). 

15.  Exposition  of  the  Ten  Commandments. 

16.  Manual  of  Christian  Duty. 

Flow  are  these  attainable  1 The  mission  has  had  the  custom  of 
appointing  particular  brethren  to  write  such  books  as  it  judged  to  be 
needed.  In  this  way,  a few  have  been  prepared,  the  editing  of  which 
has  generally  devolved  upon  the  editing  committee.  But  most  of  the 
books  thus  assigned  have  never  been  composed.  That  still  less  of  this 
kind  of  labor  will  be  done  now  is  probable,  as  our  field  is  opening  so 
fully,  and  each  brother  is  likely  to  have  his  hands  occupied  with  ordi- 
nary missionary  labor.  Dr.  Van  Dyck,  when  at  the  head  of  the  Semi- 
nary, furnished  us  with  several  books,  and  Mr.  Calhoun  also  formerly 
aided  in  this  department.  But  since  his  health  was  enfeebled,  the 
mission  has  earnestly  enjoined  upon  him  to  cease  from  the  preparation 
of  books.  It  is  understood,  however,  that  he  has  a text-book  on 
theology,  far  advanced. 


28 


Arabic  School-books  now  in  existence.  In  addition  to  the  Scriptures, 
we  have,  for  common  schools,  only  a scripture  reading-book,  com- 
mencing with  a few  lessons  in  spelling.  The  arithmetic  and  geog- 
raphy, composed  for  the  Seminary,  are  too  large,  and  are  used  by 
very  few. 

The  disposition  to  read  among  the  church  members  leads  most  of 
them  to  regard  with  interest  every- new  book  that  is  published.  But 
their  standard  reading-book  is  the  Bible. 

ELI  SMITH,  Chairman. 


IX. 

NATIVE  ASSISTANTS. 

Tiie  importance  of  a well  trained  native  agency,  your  committee 
suppose  to  be  fully  understood  and  appreciated  by  the  mission.  Not 
only  is  the  actual  amount  of  labor  performed  greatly  increased  by  this 
agency,  but  the  native  assistant  can  often  go  where  the  missionary  is 
denied  access,  and  can  do  many  things  which  the  missionary  finds 
beyond  his  power. 

The  past  history  of  this  mission  will  show,  that  while  we  have  felt 
the  worth  of  efficient  laborers  of  this  class,  we  have  sooner  or  later, 
rejected  those  who  proved  to  be  incompetent,  or  otherwise  disqualified 
for  the  work. 

The  number  of  native  helpers  at  present  in  connection  with  the 
mission,  including  the  native  pastor  of  the  Hasbeiya  church,  is  eight. 
Of  these,  four  are  connected  with  the  Hasbeiya  station,  two  with  Abeih, 
one  with  Beirut,  and  one  with  Aleppo. 

In  the  early  history  of  the  mission,  our  native  assistants  were  neces- 
sarily our  first  converts.  But  two  of  these  remain  connected  with  us 
in  this  capacity,  at  the  present  time,  and  these  two  are  deacons  of  the 
Beirut  church.  One  of  them  is  connected  with  the  Beirut  station  ; 
the  other  resides  at  Sidon,  in  connection  with  the  Hasbeiya  station. 
Though  possessed  of  only  a common  native  education  at  the  com- 
mencement, they  have  yet,  by  their  connection  with  the  mission,  greatly 
improved  and  added  to  their  stock  of  knowledge,  thus  keeping  some- 
what in  advance  of  the  masses,  and  making  themselves  directly  useful 
as  preachers,  and  indirectly  so  by  their  constant  intercourse  with  the 
community  at  large. 

Of  the  native  pastor  of  the  Hasbeiya  church,  it  is  necessary  to  say 
but  little.  He  was  educated  in  the  first  Seminary,  in  English  and 


29 


Arabic.  Upon  the  suspension  of  that  institution,  he  commenced  the 
study  of  medicine  and  Latin  under  the  care  of  Dr.  Van  Dyck, 
and  completed  his  medical  course  under  the  care  of  Dr.  DeForest. 
After  practicing  his  profession  for  a time  in  Tripoli,  he  commenced 
his  theological  studies,  Greek  and  Hebrew  included,  at  Beirut,  under 
the  care  of  Messrs.  Smith,  Whiting  and  Thomson.  These  studies  he 
prosecuted  for  a time,  in  connection  with  the  Aleppo  station,  under  the 
direction  of  Messrs.  Ford  and  Benton;  and  afterwards  at  Abeih,  under 
the  direction  of  Messrs.  Whiting  and  Calhoun.  Upon  the  establish- 
ment of  the  Hasbeiya  station  in  1851,  he  took  up  his  residence  at 
Hasbeiya  as  preacher,  and  was  ordained  at  Beirut  in  the  spring  of 
1853.  The  honorary  degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine  was  conferred 
upon  him  by  Yale  College,  in  view  of  an  article  emanating  from  his 
pen  on  the  fevers  of  Syria,  which  was  afterwards  published  in  the 
American  Journal  of  Medical  Science. 

The  work  in  Hasbeiya  and  its  vicinity  has  brought  forward  two 
other  native  helpers,  one  of  whom,  after  a year  spent  in  the  seminary 
at  Abeih  and  three  terms  of  theological  instruction  by  Messrs.  Cal- 
houn and  Wilson,  has  just  been  licensed  as  a preacher  of  the  gospel. 
The  other  spent  the  summer  of  1854  under  the  care  of  Mr.  Calhoun 
as  a theological  student.  Since  then  he  has  been  employed  as  a 
preacher  in  the  villages  of  Merg  Ayun  and  at  Alma.  After  some 
farther  instruction  in  theology,  it  is  expected  that  he  too  will  become 
a preacher  and  pastor. 

The  two  native  helpers  in  Abeih  are  both  teachers  in  the  male  sem- 
inary. One  of  them  is  a pupil  of  the  former  seminary  at  Beirut.  He 
has  a good  English,  and  a first  rate  Arabic  education.  In  addition  to 
his  labors  in  the  seminary,  he  has,  for  some  time  past,  preached  on  the 
Sabbath  at  some  one  of  the  preaching  places  connected  with  the  sta- 
tion. The  second  is  a graduate  of  the  institution  in  wliich  he  now 
labors,  and  gives  great  promise  of  usefulness. 

The  native  helper  at  Aleppo  has  a good  common  Arabic  education, 
and  is  employed  in  the  care  of  the  book  magazine,  where  he  is  entirely 
and  constantly  under  the  supervision  of  the  station. 

The  whole  time  of  all  our  native  helpers  is  at  the  disposal  of  the 
mission;  and  they  are  either  occupied  with  a definite  work,  or  are 
under  the  direction  of  some  member  of  the  station  with  which  they 
are  connected. 

In  regard  to  the  prospect  for  a supply  of  native  assistants,  your 
committee  would  call  attention  to  the  fact,  that  those  now  employed 
have  been  brought  forward  by  the  development  of  the  work  in  which 
we  are  engaged.  Providence  points  them  out  and  calls  them  by  the 
circumstances  of  the  case,  by  their  natural  qualifications  and  spiritual 
endowments,  and  by  the  nature  of  the  work  to  be  done  On  this 


30 


principle,  we  have  reason  to  expect  that  the  supply  will  be  equal  to  the 
demand,  unless  we  negligently  let  go  out  of  our  hands  those  who,  by 
proper  care  and  training,  would  become  useful  laborers. 

The  salaries  of  our  native  helpers  are  regulated  partly  upon  the 
principle  of  real  worth,  and  partly  by  the  necessities  of  the  individual 
case,  modified  by  the  place  of  residence.  The  present  maximum  is 
seven  hundred,  and  the  minimum  one  hundred  and  fifty  piastres  per 
month.  The  maximum  is  considerably  below  what  the  individual 
receiving  it  could  get  elsewhere,  or  could  gain  by  other  employment 
not  in  connection  with  the  missionary  work. 

The  following  table  shows  the  number,  station,  employment  and 
wages  of  the  native  assistants  at  present  in  connection  with  the 
mission. 


Stations.  No. 

Aleppo,  1 

Beirut,  1 

Abeih,  2 

Ilasbeiya,  7 ^ 

Sidon,  J 


Employment. 


Wages  per  month. 


Care  of  book  magazine, 

Care  of  book  magazine  and  forwarding  agent, 
Teachers  in  seminary,  . 

1 Pastor,  . 

3 Itinerant  preaching,  . 


250  piastres. 
450  “ 

700  “ 

250  “ 

600  “ 
550  “ 

200  “ 

150  “ 


C.  V.  A.  VAN  DYCK,  Chairman. 


X. 

BUILDINGS  AND  PROPERTY. 

It  is  a settled  principle  in  the  operations  of  the  Syrian  mission,  that 
no  building  or  other  property  should  be  purchased  with  the  funds  of 
the  Board,  except  in  cases  of  absolute  necessity.  The  property  now 
owned  by  the  Board  in  Beirut  and  Abeih,  was  purchased  at  a time 
when  it  was  clear  that  suitable  accommodations  could  not  be  other- 
wise provided.  Aside  from  these  buildings,  the  Board  owns  no  real 
estate  whatever  in  Syria,  unless  we  except  the  small  lot  of  land  in 
B’hamdun,  purchased  for  the  site  of  a female  seminary  at  a cost  of 
about  $100,  which  we  recommend  should  be  sold  as  soon  as  possible. 

The  value  of  the  property  now  owned  by  the  Board  is  as  follows: 


Value  of  land  and  buildings  at  Beirut,  ....  $6,000 

Do.  do.  do.  at  Abeih,  . 5,000 

Do.  of  printing  establishment,  exclusive  of  buildings,  . . 6,348 

Do.  of  mission  library,  ......  2,300 

Do.  of  apparatus,  .......  420 

Right  of  water,  library  cases,  traveling  furniture,  &e.  . . 180 


Total, 


$20,248 


31 


The  Board  has  no  property  in  churches,  out  of  Beirut.  Itjjfras 
been  customary  to  hire  suitable  places  for  worship  at  the  various  sta- 
tions, and  this  practice  should  be  continued  so  far  as  it  is  necessary 
and  practicable.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that,  as  the  native  congregations 
increase,  they  themselves  will  take  the  lead  in  building  churches, 
though  they  may  often  require  aid  from  abroad. 

In  regard  to  the  question  how  far  native  houses  can  be  made  suit- 
able residences  for  missionaries,  we  are  prepared  to  say  that  such 
houses  can  now  be  found  in  many  of  the  villages  of  Lebanon.  In 
every  case,  however,  a moderate  outlay  would  be  required  to  render 
these  houses  comfortable;  and  as,  in  some  cases,  the  missionary  may 
be  obliged  to  apply  for  aid  from  the  funds  of  the  Board,  we  suggest 
the  appointment  of  a committee,  whose  office  it  shall  be  to  estimate 
carefully,  and  report  to  the  Prudential  Committee,  the  amount  of  aid 
required  in  each  particular  case. 

The  furniture  for  churches  should  be  adapted  to  the  habits  and 
tastes  of  the  congregations  worshiping  in  them  ; regard  being  had,  in 
all  cases,  to  economy  and  simplicity. 

S.  H.  CALHOUN,  Chairman. 


XI. 

ESTIMATES,  APPROPRIATIONS,  AND  EXPENDITURES. 

Appropriations  being  asked  by  the  mission  and  granted  by  the 
Prudential  Committee  for  specified  objects , we  are  of  opinion  that  the 
expenditure  should  be  restricted  to  the  objects  so  specified,  and  that 
all  unexpended  balances  should  be  carried  forward  to  the  credit  of  the 
Board  ; and  further,  that  all  moneys  received  from  sources  other  than 
the  treasury  of  the  Board,  should  be  credited  accordingly  by  the  treas- 
urer of  the  mission. 

S.  H.  CALHOUN,  Chairman. 


XII. 

STATION  DISTRICTS. 

The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  “ Out  tine  of  Station 
Districts ,”  report,  that  after  having  carefully  looked  over  the  whole 


32 


territory  occupied  by  this  mission,  they  have  divided  the  field  into  nine 
distinct  station  districts,  with  the  following  limits  and  boundaries: 

1.  Hasbcii/a  District. 

Bounded  on  the  north,  by  the  south  end  of  the  Buka’  ; on  the  east, 
by  the  ridge  of  Mount  Hermon ; on  the  south,  by  a line  from  thence 
running  due  west  to  the  Jisr  Benat  Ya’kob  ; on  the  south-west,  by  a 
line  running  from  the  Jisr  Benat  Ya’kob  to  the  river  Litany  (Leontes) 
at  Deir  Mimas  ; on  the  west,  by  the  Litany  from  Deir  Mimas  to  the 
Buka. 

2.  Sidon  District. 

Bounded  on  the  north,  by  a line  running  from  Neby  Yunas  south- 
easterly to  Kefr  Huna,  excluding  Jezzin,  and  thence  to  the  Litany  at 
Miishjjhara ; on  the  east,  by  the  Hasbeiya  District ; on  the  south,  by  a 
line  from  Jisr  Benat  Ya’kob  to  the  plain  of  Acre.  On  the  west,  by 
the  sea  (from  and  including  the  plain  of  Acre  to  Neby  Yunas). 

3.  Dicr  El  Komr  District. 

Bounded  north  by  the  river  Damur,  and  a line  from  thence  to  and 
including  Ain  Zehalteh,  and  thence  eastward  to  the  Buka’ ; east,  by 
the  Buka’  ; south,  by  Sidon  District ; west,  by  the  sea. 

4.  Abeih  District. 

Bounded  north  by  a line  running  eastward  from  Khuldeh,  passing 
south  of  Bshamun  and  Ain  Anub,  and  running  north  of  Suk  El 
Ghurb  to  the  wady  Ghabun  ; east,  by  the  wady  Ghabun  to  the  Jisr  El 
Kady  ; south-east  and  south,  by  the  Damur,  from  the  Jisr  El  Kady  to 
the  sea ; and  west,  by  the  sea. 

5.  Kefr  SMma  District. 

Bounded  north  by  a line  running  east  from  El  Wuza’y  to  the  Da- 
mascus road,  and  thence  east  to  Khan  El  Kehhaleh;  east,  by  a line 
from  Khan  El  Kehhaleh  to  the  north  boundary  of  the  Abeih  District ; 
south,  by  the  Abeih  District ; west,  by  the  sea. 

6.  B’hamdun  District. 

Bounded  north  by  the  north  branch  of  Nahr  Beirut,  from  the  con- 
vent of  Mar  Musa  to  the  source  of  the  river,  and  thence  by  a line 
running  east  to  the  Buka’ ; east,  by  the  Buka’,  including  Zahleh  ; 
south,  by  Deir  El  Komr  District ; west,  by  Abeih  and  Kefr  Shima  Dis- 
tricts, and  the  north  branch  of  Nahr  Beirut  to  the  convent  of  Mar 
Musa. 


33 


7.  Beirut  District. 

Bounded  north  by  a line  from  and  including  Jubeil,  running  east, 
to  the  Buka’ ; east,  by  the  Buka’  ; south,  by  B’hamdun  and  Kefr  Shima 
Districts  ; west,  by  the  sea. 

8.  Tripoli  District. 

Bounded  north  by  En  Nahr  El  Kehir  from  its  mouth  to  and  includ- 
ing Kala’t  El  Ilusn  ; east,  by  a line  running  along  the  ridge  of  the 
mountains  from  Kala’t  El  Husn  to  the  northern  boundary  of  the  Beirut 
District ; south,  by  Beirut  District : west,  by  the  sea. 

9.  Hums  District. 


This  District  includes  the  cities  of  Hums,  Hamah,  Sudud,  and  their 
dependencies. 


WM,  M.  THOMSON,  Chairman. 


XIII. 

LETTER  FROM  DR.  SMITH  ON  THE  PRINTING  ESTABLISHMENT. 

Beirut,  October  16,  1855. 

My  Dear  Sir, — Having  recovered  from  the  cold,  and  consequent 
mental  depression,  under  which  I was  most  unfortunately  laboring, 
during  most  of  your  visit,  I am  inclined  to  write  you  a few  words 
respecting  my  department  of  labor. 

1.  The  Press. — Two  committees  are  connected  with  our  printing 
establishment,  called  office  and  editing  committees.  Of  the  office 
committee  the  printer  is  of  course  a member.  He  is,  in  fact,  the  per- 
son who  does  the  business.  My  position,  as  the  other  member,  which 
I have  usually  been,  is  that  of  counsellor.  It  is  my  duty  to  be 
informed,  and  give  an  opinion,  respecting  all  important  business  oper- 
ations, so  as  effectively  to  share  the  responsibility.  But  I never  inter- 
fere with  the  printer’s  relations  to  the  men  in  the  office,  or  with 
contracting  parties  out  of  it,  in  such  a way  as  to  diminish  his 
authority  and  influence.  All  this,  after  so  many  years  of  experience, 
though  doubtless  of  considerable  importance,  consumes  but  little  of 
my  time. 

Of  the  editing  committee,  I have  uniformly  been  the  active  mem- 
ber to  do  the  work.  The  other  members  have  ordinarily  done  little 
more  than  give  advice.  I am  assisted  by  two  natives.  One  is  Nasif 
5 


34 


el-Yarijy,  who  also  aids  in  the  translation  of  the  Scriptures,  and  knows 
only  Arabic.  He  is  the  corrector,  not  to  read  proofs,  for  he  never  did 
that  well  ; but  to  look  after  the  Arabic  of  our  books.  In  fact,  he 
rewrites  nearly  all  of  them,  by  whomsoever  they  may  be  translated  or 
composed.'  My  other  assistant  is  Milhem  Shimeil,  who  aids  in  proof- 
reading, and  is  gradually  learning  to  correct,  like  Nasif.  He  is  em- 
ployed only  half  of  each  day.  Butrus  Bistany  formerly  aided  in  proof- 
reading, but  does  not  now,  except  in  the  Bible. 

The  work  to  be  done,  in  this  department,  is  composing  books,  trans- 
lating, revising  translations  and  compositions  to  make  them  express 
clearly  and  in  good  Arabic  the  sense  intended,  and  proof-reading. 
The  composing  of  books  I have  never  considered  as  devolving  upon 
myself  more  than  upon  my  brethren  And  to  have  this  fully  under- 
stood, after  I got  engaged  in  the  translation  I brought  the  subject  up, 
and  formally  threw  the  responsibility  upon  them.  My  proposition, 
indeed,  extended  further,  and  included  the  preparing  of  translations^ 
leaving  to  the  editing  committee  only  the  editing.  The  brethren 
entered  into  the  proposition  with  spirit,  and  distributed  the  labor 
among  them.  Yet  very  little  has  been  done. 

The  translating  also  I have  never  done.  Printed  English  books 
we  have  hired  translated  by  B.  Bistany,  J.  Wortabet,  and  others ; and 
books  written  by  the  brethren,  they  have  either  composed  in  Arabic, 
or  translated  themselves  with  the  aid  of  natives,  or  sent  to  us  to  be 
translated  like  printed  books. 

The  revising,  before  and  after  Nasif’s  labor,  I have  usually  done 
myself.  It  has  taken  a good  deal  of  time,  and  upon  it  very  much  of 
the  intelligibility  and  effectiveness  of  our  books  depend.  We  have 
never  yet  found  translators  who  could,  or  would,  take  time  enough  to 
bring  out  in  Arabic,  clearly,  the  full  meaning  of  the  English.  If  put 
into  Nasif’s  hands,  as  they  leave  it,  a translation  would  come  out,  in 
very  many  passages,  wide  of  the  original  meaning,  and  the  force  of 
the  sentiment  be  lost.  Even  he  needs  constantly  looking  after,  or  he 
does  his  work  carelessly  ; and  the  more  so,  the  older  he  grows.  This 
part  of  tny  work  I think  some  of  my  brethren  do  not,  perhaps,  fully 
appreciate.  They  would  confide  too  much  in  Nasif,  and  expect 
more  from  him  than  they  will  realize. 

The  proof-reading  I formerly  did  entirely  myself.  But  after  begin- 
ning the  translation,  I got  the  approbation  of  my  brethren  to  the  em- 
ployment of  a proof-reader.  I have  been  thus  very  much  relieved. 
Yet,  to  this  day,  we  have  found  no  proof-reader  who  can  be  trusted  to 
carry  a work  through  the  press.  Every  proof  needs  to  be  read,  at 
least  once,  by  an  editor. 

Several  things  result  from  the  preceding  statement.  1.  That  the 
editing  department  has  consumed  very  little  of  the  time  of  any  mem- 


35 


ber  of  the  mission,  except  the  active  members  of  the  editing  commit- 
tee. 2.  That  no  provision  is  now  made  for  a very  important  branch 
of  the  editorial  department.  3.  That  the  only  substitute  practicable, 
until  Providence  make  fuller  provision,  is  giving  the  editing  commit- 
tee some  authority  to  correct  proofs  in  reference  to  style  and  meaning. 

I hope,  also,  the  impression  will  be  made  upon  you,  by  what  I have 
written,  and  by  the  discussions  at  Abeih,  that  our  press  has  not  been 
obtruded  out  of  its  place  as  an  humble  aid  to  the  mission,  in  its  higher 
labors.  The  views  of  the  Committee  on  this  subject,  I have  long 
understood  and  approved,  and  I have  endeavored  faithfully  to  con- 
form to  them. 

2.  The  Translation  of  the  Scriptures. — On  this  subject  I need  add 
but  little  to  what  is  contained  in  my  report  to  the  mission  at  its  annual 
meeting  last  year,  a copy  of  which  report  was  sent  to  you  at  Boston. 
Though  aided  by  two  valuable  native  assistants,  the  responsibility  of 
the  work  rests  entirely  upon  myself,  until  it  appears  in  proof.  Then, 
proofs  are  sent  to  each  missionary  station  in  Syria,  whether  connected 
with  our  Board  or  not.  They  are  read  and  returned  by  Bishop  Go- 
bat,  of  Jerusalem,  and  by  Mr.  Robson  and  Mr.  Lansing,  of  Damas- 
cus, and  also  by  Mr.  Porter  when  he  is  there.  Most  of  my  own  brethren 
favor  me  with  their  suggestions.  I send  proofs,  also,  to  three  or  four 
intelligent,  but  unlearned  'natives,  in  order  to  obtain  their  criticisms 
on  the  intelligibility  of  the  language,  and  acceptableness  of  the  style, 
to  common  readers.  These  proofs,  some  twenty  in  number,  bring 
back  a good  many  suggestions.  Hitherto  the  responsibility  of  admit- 
ting or  rejecting  them,  after  consulting  my  helps  and  helpers,  has 
rested  entirely  upon  myself.  Now  that  I am  to  have  Mr.  Ford  for 
my  colleague  at  this  station,  1 would  like  to  have  occasional  aid 
from  him  in  this  part  of  my  labors;  and,  unless  otherwise  directed,  I 
propose  to  consult  him  respecting  the  most  important  of  the  sugges- 
tions that  come  back  to  me.  But  little  of  his  time  will  thus  be  con- 
sumed, while  the  relief  from  responsibility,  as  well  as  the  aid  rendered, 
may,  in  some  cases,  be  very  considerable. 

3.  Preac hing.— Until  I began  the  translation,  and  in  fact  until 
some  time  after  that,  I never  regarded  my  connection  with  the  press  as 
furnishing  any  excuse  from  preaching.  Indeed,  I regarded  preaching 
as  my  most  important  duty.  I believe  I was  not  behind  any  of  my 
brethren  in  the  amount  I performed  of  this  kind  of  labor.  What  the 
press  did  hinder  me  from  doing,  was  pastoral  duty  and  mingling 
with  the  people  by  returning  their  visits.  Before  the  organization  of 
the  church,  I was  asked  by  my  brethren,  in  deciding  our  labors,  to 
allow  the  congregation  to  look  to  me  as  their  pastor.  When  Mr. 
Thomson  visited  the  United  States,  both  he  and  Dr.  Van  Dyck  urged 
me  to  take  the  pastoral  care  of  the  church  ; and  last  year  the  same 


36 


request  was  made  by  Mr.  Whiting,  on  going  to  Switzerland.  But  in 
each  case,  I felt  obliged  to  decline.  Of  visits  among  the  people,  I 
have  come  to  make  very  few,  and  consequently  am  cut  off  from  this 
mode  of  usefulness.  In  regard  to  preaching  even,  I informed  my 
brethren,  last  spring,  that  I could  be  responsible  for  only  one  sermon 
on  the  Sabbath.  More  than  this  I could  not  do,  even  if  the  chapel 
were  shut  up.  I felt  that  it  would  be  a material  relief  to  be  entirely 
freed  from  the  responsibility  of  preaching.  But  this  I never  ventured 
to  ask,  until  your  recent  visit.  I shall,  perhaps,  still  preach  as  much 
as  before,  for  it  is  a work  I love.  But  I feel  much  lighter,  now  that 
it  has  become  a matter  of  choice  and  not  of  obligation. 

Ever  very  truly  yours, 

ELI  SMITH. 

Rev,  R.  Anderson,  D.  D.,  Secretary,  etc. 


'jl'J-x/y 


